My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring

is so

a knife and

on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today

to be a little girl in pigtails,

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

her eyes and make

blow

Julian that there was no need to go

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she

to say thank you!” their parents

off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that,

Rachel finally smiled

be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take

might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point,

bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s

turned and headed toward

apartment and

the door was propped open by a large hand from

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it. Suddenly, she

out on

himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the

been

took two steps

resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto

he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

her, forcing her back inch

no idea

and pulled, she staggered after him